One Direction Releases First Post-Zayn Single, ‘Drag Me Down’

Following the news that ex-One Direction member Zayn Malik has signed a record deal with RCA Records, One Direction has dropped a surprise new single called Drag Me Down. This is the first track that Harry, Niall, Liam and Louis have released without Zayn, marking the beginning of a new chapter, post-Zayn.

“It’s the first song from the new album that we’ve worked very, very, very hard on,” Liam said in a video posted on Twitter. Listen to the track below.

Drag Me Down does point to a shift in the group’s sound, from power pop anthems to something a little more low-key and rock. The grooving bass riff, the handclap build up, plus the group’s signature harmonies make this track a catchy one, but one that will perhaps take a little time for fans to get used to.